Chopperbatics

Flying through the air backwards, smoke fills the cockpit through the open doors then suddenly we spin 180 degrees, pitch down and towards the tree tops, darting in and out like Harry Potter on his Nimbus2000.

I look behind and a twirling trail of smoke decorates the sky behind us in daisy trails as we pull up towards the heavens and into a stall turn. I watch the instruments checking the altimeter and power as I observe my pilot working hard on stick and rudder to seemingly defy aerodynamics with such precision and skill.

This was a 10 minute aerobatic practice flight in a Hughes 300 helicopter famously known in the USA as OTTO the helicopter. The aircraft also known as TH-55 Osage was a military training aircraft for US military during the 1960s and most Vietnam pilots learnt to fly in one. This particular model was also owned by the Florida State Police for some years.

Tomorrow OTTO gets its European debut flown by the talented Brendan O' Brien known for his crazy flying circus acts such as the truck top landing. We're all ready and raring to go but the question is... Is Hastings Pirate Day ready for OTTO?